Thread: Theory of blade shape

I have 2 blades with this particular shape where the toe is larger than the heel.

A Johan Engstrom and a Wade and Butcher.

Judging by the minimal amount of hone wear on each and the fact the etched arrow on the Engstrom is parallel to the edge, I would say they were designed that way.

I would like to here your theories on the shape.

Thank you

Originally Posted by Grump

I have 2 blades with this particular shape where the toe is larger than the heel.

A Johan Engstrom and a Wade and Bitcher.

Judging by the minimal amount of hone wear on each and the fact the etched arrow on the Engstrom is parallel to the edge, I would say they were designed that way.

I would like to here your theories on the shape.

Thank you

I am of the opinion that many barbers liked to "pull" the razor. This design made for a scything stroke as well as moved lather toward the heel so the toe would be easily seen. Just an opinion??????

I'm not sure why you want a theory on the blade shape, but I would assume that the razor would have a nice point forward balance.

I know there has to be a reason behind the maker's decision on the shape.

I would say both of these would have merit.

Blades come in all types of shapes and grinds and steels and decorations and folks want to know why. Personally I think it's just a style thing most of the time. Makers want their product to stand out from the pack so they do things a little different. I'm sure they would come up with a reason they shaped the blade that way but I don't see any real advantage.

That's my theory.

And it's as good a theory as any other.

My guess is that it is related to the manner of production available at the time. Both in the forging and the grinding.

Just a hunch,

Looking at that blade shape to me it looks like the blade was designed so that a stroke keepin the line of the spine perpendicular to the stroke direction rather than the edge line to guide you would result in more of a slicing action rather than a chopping action.

Think of it like comparing a guilotine to an axe. An axe would chop straight down sometimes meaning the unfortunate person was struck several times to be beheaded. Whereas a guilotine with an angled blade, similar to the angle used when carving a joint of meat, meant that the weight of the blade in conjunction the directon of the blade movement and it's weight would (very) effectively put the victim out of their misery in one swift stroke using a similar amount of force to swinging a sharp axe.

I could be way off with that rather grim analogy, but the theory seems plausible to me at least!

HA !

I've got a genco that's shaped like that, I was wondering if it was accidental or not.

Originally Posted by Glenn24

HA !

I've got a genco that's shaped like that, I was wondering if it was accidental or not.

Possibly a re-grind to get rid of a heel chip? I've seen a lot of old Genco ads from the 'teens and twenties and those have all been even in width across the blade.